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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Jennifer Newton & edinburghlive Administrator

Queen's little-used forgotten castle which Kate and William may move into

The Queen has access to a portfolio of instantly recognisable properties across the country, from the iconic Buckingham Palace to her Scottish base in Edinburgh at Holyrood.

The royal has been spending the majority of her time at Windsor Castle, including during the festive period in recent months.

However, there is one residence on the Windsor estate that she has never lived in, and it was once reportedly set aside for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Fort Belvedere was built in the 18th century in the Gothic revival style and is located in the grounds of Windsor Great Park.

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Referred to as 'The Fort' by many members of the family, the home was hugely expanded by George IV who added an octagonal dining room, a three-storey annexe and a large flag pole.

The home was later used by Queen Victoria as a tea house and allowed it to be open to the public in the 1860s.

In 1929, it became the home of Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, who later became Edward VIII.

He spent a vast amount of money on the property and it is where his romance with Wallis Simpson flourished and she moved in permanently in 1936.

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Upon his abdication in 1936, Fort Belvedere is where he signed his written notice.

It has since been occupied by the Queen's cousin Gerald Lascelles and is currently leased out by the Crown Estate.

Last year, it was reported that Prince William and Kate were "eyeing up" a move to Windsor, with Fort Belvedere being cited as a property they might like.

But it remains to be seen if any move to Windsor would go ahead.

Other royals to live in or close to Windsor are Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's UK home of Frogmore Cottage is also on the Windsor estate.

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